After the final of the 2024 Paris Olympics, Carlos Alcaraz, the silver medalist, was asked if Novak Djokovic is the greatest of all time (GOAT). The debate about the GOAT is highly popular among tennis enthusiasts. While it is straightforward to determine the best player or athlete of all time in some sports, tennis has become more complicated in recent years.
At one point, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic were all tied with 20 Grand Slam titles, which are often used to gauge the success of a tennis player.However, a lot has happened since then. Nadal became the first player to win 21 majors and added his 22nd, before Djokovic surpassed him by winning his 21st, 22nd, 23rd, and finally his 24th Grand Slam title.Despite his remarkable achievements, Djokovic still lacked one item in his collection – the Olympic gold medal. In Paris on Sunday, he rectified that by defeating Alcaraz in the final of the 2024 Olympic Games.
It was a convincing victory, with Djokovic winning 7-6(3), 7-6(2). Although surprising, given Alcaraz’s outstanding performance in recent months, winning both the Roland Garros and Wimbledon consecutively, Djokovic solidified his legendary status.After claiming the gold medal, Djokovic stated that he had “completed the puzzle” of his tennis career, having won every significant tournament that a tennis player can aspire to win. Unsurprisingly, the GOAT debate resurfaced immediately.
During the Olympic tournament, Djokovic declined to label himself as the GOAT. However, his final opponent, Alcaraz, was asked about the topic by Eurosport right after losing the final.The four-time Grand Slam champion promptly acknowledged that “numbers don’t lie,” emphasizing that no one has achieved more in tennis than Djokovic.”Numbers don’t lie. There is not a single tournament he hasn’t won. By numbers, I can’t say no. Everything he’s set out to do, he’s achieved.”
Nevertheless, since the GOAT debate is subjective to some extent, the 21-year-old also added a caveat. Some believe that factors such as legacy, impact, and other contributions to the sport should be considered in the GOAT discussion.Therefore, many attribute this title to Roger Federer due to his tremendous influence when he initially achieved success, before both Nadal and Djokovic caught up.
As a teenager at the beginning of his tennis career, Alcaraz named Federer as his favorite player, and Nadal, his compatriot, whom he admitted to idolizing. Hence, he had an important point to make.”But there are many other factors that come into play. I can’t say who is the best in history for me.”
At the end of the day, it probably doesn’t matter to Alcaraz who holds the title of the greatest tennis player of all time, and perhaps it doesn’t matter to Djokovic either.He is aware that he has achieved all possible victories, and his competitors acknowledge this fact. The determination of who fans choose as the greatest of all time in a subjective argument ultimately remains subjective.
Photo from Carlos Alcaraz (X) account
